Thread by @ftdtcherrry, since it’s still getting misquoted! let’s talk about the zane lowe interview [...]

since it’s still getting misquoted! let’s talk about the zane lowe interview and why fans finding harry attractive or talking about sex is not the problem some people think it is:

so basically what people took from this interview is that harry hates being sexualized. i’m going to try to show how a) this isn’t necessarily true, and b) why putting people down for getting turned on by him is wrong.

so what harry actually briefly states in the interview is that he is uncomfortable with the idea of himself as a sex symbol. i’m putting the definition here even though i think it’s missing some important points, which i’ll talk about in the next few tweets.

before i start, i think we can agree that in the past, harry was made out to be a sex symbol by the media, both in the comments they made and questions they asked. however, this is mostly no longer the case, ESPECIALLY among his fans. here’s why:

i think a large part of being a sex symbol is a when a person’s marketability is based mostly around their sex appeal. objectively, this no longer to harry. (see fine line era promo, specifically for ws, a song that is about sex and yet had non sexual promo)

with that, an artist who is seen as a sex symbol has fans who are intensely focused on the idea of that person as a sexual object. “aha!” you say here, “harries post thirst tweets, proving they only care about him for his looks!” sit down. this is such a +

hasty generalization. the idea that one (or hell, even several) thirst tweets can define someone’s entire person is ridiculous. most harries, myself included, stan harry for his music and his personality, and the way that he creates a safe and accepting environment for his fans.

some people, in addition, do find him sexually attractive, but that doesn’t at all mean that they are reducing him to a sexual object like some people act like it does. it’s just something they feel in addition to the other reasons they stan. and there’s nothing wrong with that.

don’t believe me? well again let’s get back to promo. fine line is harrys biggest era yet, and he’s gotten so many new fans (myself included). but remember what i said about promo? none of it is sexual, right? so people are clearly drawn to him for reasons other than his looks.

his appearance is secondary, if a factor at all. so stop reducing his success to “his fans only like him for how he looks.” accept people are drawn to his talent and kindness and move on. that’s what our support is based in, not on some idea we have of him being a sex symbol.

basically, just because some fans find him sexually attractive doesn’t mean they’re viewing him as a sex symbol—which, as i said earlier, is what actually bothers him. people now really love him for who he is and nothing makes me happier for him.

now that’s cleared up, as the interview continues, he actually elaborates on his feelings, saying he sees sex as less of a taboo subject than he used to. though he was kind of vague (lmao), he says he’s trying to be more open in this era (see sex shirts below). +

obv others are going to read into his words differently, but while he said thinking about ppl seeing him that way was a “strange dynamic,” he seemed to be moving in the direction of not really caring in the end. ppl are going to see him how they see him and he stays unbothered.

but now we’re on the subject of taboos, let’s talk about masturbation and why you shouldn’t shame people for it! female sexual desire and masturbation is a taboo subject in society bc of how we are supposed to understand men and women’s sexual roles. however +

it is an important part of a healthy sex life for young people, and no one should be ashamed of that! now i’m not saying ppl are upset wholly bc of societal biases against female sexuality, but look at yourself and consider if that might be playing a role in why you’re mad.

ik a lot of you are younger on here and don’t think about sex that much but honestly as you get older you do get horny sometimes and masturbating makes you feel GOOD— about yourself, about life, tbh it’s great. so even if you can’t understand it let people live i guess.

and while we’re on the subject of misogyny, let’s explore another reason to stop this attack on harries. calling attention to ppl and shaming them only perpetuates the insulting ideas that society has about teenage/young adult girls who are fans of male artists.

“aha!” you say again, sure you’ve gotten me this time, “but if harries are the ones writing thirst tweets, aren’t they the ones perpetuating those ideas? aren’t i superior for having only a platonic admiration for my idol, unlike those girls doing exactly what society expects?”

this seems like a good time to mention that many of the thirst tweets you’re reading are probably jokes. also, leave the internalized woman-hatred at the door. we’re all stans here. society is going to think the worst of us no matter what we do. don’t blame harries for that.

and also, by shaming women, are we setting a precedent that women should be thought less of for having sexual desires? come on. societal change isn’t happening anytime soon, so let girls and women explore their sexual desires on fucking twitter fgs and just leave them alone.

so if you see a tweet you don’t like, just don’t interact! i promise you if you aren’t quote tweeting left and right that tweet’s gonna get about three likes, one reply saying “OMGNSHDJDJF YOU DIDNT

” and will be forgotten about the next day. move on. you’ll be fine.

^and that goes for people in every fandom tbh. some people on here just love to fight and it’s so annoying. none of it matters! ALL of our favs stay unbothered while we tear each other to pieces. let’s get some hobbies people! read a book, write some poetry, idk!

now i’ve gone and made this whole damn thread defending people’s right to make thirst tweets when i don’t even like them

as a lesbian frankly i am just not that interested. but! it’s not my business and i’m happy that other people are happy

all i’ll say is if you’re going to thirst, try to be respectful, it will be better for everyone. some of the tweets go too far (even if they’re jokes) and if you disagree, fine, but just imagine how those tweets would be received if they were talking about a woman in that detail.

ik it’s different bc of the history of sexual oppression from men towards women but still. there is a balance to be found. i’m not going to tell anyone what to do but just keep it in mind.

i guess that’s it lmaooo i probably won’t ever do this again but just let people live on here. try to be respectful to people who have different ideas than you (all of us are bad at that). be respectful to harry too and everyone honestly and remember no one is perfect

here’s the part of the zane lowe interview if anyone needs a refresher thank you for reading my dissertation if you got this far

and here’s some articles on masturbation and stuff since schools don’t like to teach girls about their anatomy! yasss!!

learn about your anatomy! https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/sexual-and-reproductive-anatomy/what-are-parts-female-sexual-anatomy

masturbation 101: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/a19898988/masturbation-fun/

live your lives girls!

finally, if you still disagree with me, that’s okay! i’d love to hear your point of view in the replies or dms. i spent a long time thinking about this and considering my feelings but all of us have such different perspectives and i’m always open to hearing new ones.

ummm ok i’m going to try to reply to everyone eventually but i have to go to work rn

thank you for reading though

sorry i just got off work i want to add what someone said to me: the extremely graphic/explicit tweets can be triggering to victims of sexual assault, so please either don’t do those or put a trigger warning! thank you again to the person who shared this with me.

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